BLEEDING ANC: Limpopo Peter Mokaba Region in Turmoil After Disputed Conference

The African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo is reeling from the aftermath of the 10th ANC Peter Mokaba Region Conference, which descended into chaos and exposed deep-seated divisions within the party.

The conference, marred by allegations of irregularities and disregard for the ANC constitution, has left a trail of bitterness and mistrust among party members.

At the center of the controversy is the contest for leadership between Polokwane Mayor John Mpe and ANC Women's League Provincial Chairperson Mamedupi Teffo, who is also the Capricorn District Executive Mayor. Teffo's supporters claim that the conference was convened without proper procedures, and that the ANC constitution was flagrantly disregarded.

They point to the inclusion of bogus branches and fake delegates, as well as the marginalization of delegates who sought to raise their discontent and disputes. Notably, Teffo is supported by Public Works Roads and Infrastructure MEC Tonny Rachoene, a former ANCYL Provincial Chairperson in Limpopo, who is contesting for the Deputy Regional Chairperson for ANC Peter Mokaba Region.

The National Dispute Resolution Committee's report, which was allegedly disregarded and ignored, has raised eyebrows among ANC members. According to documents sent to the ANC National Dispute Resolution Committee Chairperson Cyril Xaba, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, and ANC Provincial Secretary Reuben Madadzhe, the final report disqualified 31 branches, leaving the conference with only 74 (65.5%) of the required quorum, instead of the necessary 79 (70%). This meant that the conference should not have proceeded.

In a strongly worded statement, discontent ANC Peter Mokaba Region members and allies of Teffo requested that the ANC Officials or NWC or NEC:

- Set aside all decisions and resolutions from the 10th Peter Mokaba Regional Conference

- Dissolve the elected REC elected at the conference

- Appoint a Conference Preparatory Committee to reconvene a Properly Constituted ANC Peter Mokaba Regional Conference within 30 days, in accordance with the ANC Constitution and Guidelines.

The statement argued that the conference outcomes ought to be set aside due to the unlawful participation of disqualified branches, which had a material effect on the election process. It also stated that the narrative that the region only needed 70% to qualify for its regional conference, regardless of the validity of the complaints, is false. The ANC Peter Mokaba Regional Conference was supposed to have been convened once all outstanding disputes were resolved and once all dispute resolution processes had been exhausted.

Senior ANC politicians and veterans have weighed in, advising that the ANC National Structure must disband the ANC Peter Mokaba Region due to the blatant disregard for proper procedures, rendering the conference bogus. They warned that failure to act quickly and resolve these unorthodox tendencies could have severe implications for the local and national elections, potentially causing the ANC to lose more votes despite its 74% performance in Limpopo and poor national showing with 40% votes. They emphasized that leaders must learn to relinquish power and know when to step aside, refraining from power mongering and overstaying in positions.

ANC Provincial Spokesperson Jimmy Machaka confirmed that the party has received complaints and disputes from affected participants and branches, and that the matter has been escalated to the ANC National Structure and ANC SG Fikile Mbalula for guidance and direction. The concerned participants are seeking a rerun of the conference and justice in accordance with the ANC constitution.

As the ANC grapples with this internal crisis, the party's image and integrity hang in the balance. The outcome of this dispute will have far-reaching implications for the party's future in Limpopo and beyond. Will the ANC be able to resolve this crisis and restore faith in its structures, or will the party continue to bleed from the wounds inflicted by this disputed conference? Only time will tell.